Pet Dental Care: Healthy Teeth Help Make Healthy Pets
Dental health is a very important part of your pet’s overall health. That’s why the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA) has designated February as National Pet Dental Health Month.
Caring for your pet’s teeth can prevent many health problems.
Four out of five dogs over the age of 3 years have some sort of periodontal disease. Dental disease has significant health consequences. Inflamed and receding gums can occur, causing your pet pain and leading to very expensive medical procedures. It can lead to infection and abscesses in the mouth, as well as affect the heart, liver, and kidneys. Pets that don’t get dental care can painfully lose their teeth as they age.
It can be caused by the buildup of plaque. Just like in humans, plaque forms along the gum line and between the teeth of dogs. Once it's hardened into tartar, it will need to be removed by a veterinarian. Tartar is loaded with bacteria, and the mouth is a warm, moist environment for bacteria to multiply. That bacteria can enter the bloodstream through the gums. Once the bacteria makes it to the organs, they begin to slowly poison your pet.
Your dog and cat are very good at hiding pain – you might never know that your pet has a serious dental problem until it’s very advanced. Your pet might stop eating, or stop playing and exercising, because of dental pain and discomfort. A veterinarian should check your pet’s teeth and gums regularly for early signs of a problem, and proper oral hygiene is a must.
Hard pet food, rawhide and chew toys will help, but nothing beats brushing their teeth on a regular basis. This will help prevent plaque and tartar buildup and reduce the risks associated with dental disease. Plus, a pet with healthy teeth equals a pet with better breath!
Getting your pet used to teeth brushing may seem like a challenge, but there are videos to help you learn how to brush their teeth:
Dental Health: How to Brush Your Pet's Teeth
Knowledge test: How much do you know about your pet's dental health? Take this quiz to find out.
Choco has been deemed a dangerous dog and a public health concern. Any resident who thinks they know the whereabouts of the animal is asked to contact Tulare County Animal Services. Click here to contact Tulare County Animal Services.
Tulare County Animal Services Division will be submitting to the Board of Supervisors, for consideration, proposed revisions to the County’s Animal Ordinances and new Commercial Kennel Minimum Standards. The below links will take you to the corresponding documents. You may submit your comments and/or recommendations, via email, at animalcontrolsupport@tularehhsa.org.
Draft documents below for the County's Animal Ordinances and the Commercial Kennel Minimum Standards were updated as of September 25, 2018. The Animal Rescue Kennel Minimum Standards were updated as of October 8, 2018.
Click here to download the proposed revisions to the County's Animal Ordinances.
Click here to download the proposed Commercial Kennel Minimum Standards.
Click here to download the proposed Animal Rescue Kennel Minimum Standards.
Animal Services invites community members to review and comment on the proposed changes to the Tulare County Animal Ordinances at the two meetings listed below.
Tuesday, September 25, 5-7 pm (Completed)
Pixley Elementary School, 300 N. School St.
Wednesday, September 26, 5-7 pm (Completed)
Monson-Sultana School, 10643 Ave 416, Sultana
Click here to download the Community Outreach Power Point Presentation.
